Today March 12, 2004 is ex-actly two years since the death of Dr Hamza Rafindadi Zayyad, the Wazirin Katsina.

Friends and associates have never recovered from his loss but will continue the life of the late educationist and economic guru who left an enduring legacy that we are very proud of. The late Wazirin Katsina was an accomplished technocrat, a pride to his family and friends. No doubt many people are likely to remember him for many reasons.

Just as he was successful in the public sector policy administration, so he was in the private sector. Before he breathed his last, he was executive chairman of a leading consultancy firm in the north, and by implication, one of the best financial management firms in the country, Phoenix Investments services Limited.

Zayyad became the chairman of the Technical Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation (TCPC) in January 1986. The tremendous successes recorded under TCPC led the Babangida government to establish a permanent implementation agency for the programme like the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE). It is a monument that has outlived Dr. Hamza Rafindadi Zayyad.

Early in 1999. Dr Zayyad bowed out of the Bureau of Public Enterprises along with his colleagues on the Board. This was at the time of the composition of National Council on Privatisation (NCP), which is now under the office of the Vice-President. Every government has remained committed to the programme as a deliberate policy of accelerating economic growth and development.

Prior to his appointment for the privatisation and commercialisation project, Zayyad had impacted on several other public sector agencies and institutions. For instance, between 1963 and 1965, he served as an accountant in the ministry of finance’s treasury division.

Dr Hamza Rafindadi Zayyad was born in 1937, at Rafindadi, Katsina, capital of what is now Katsina State. His father, Muhammadu was an Islamic Scholar, and his grandfather, the Waziri of Katsina, made sure that they left, in the new child, a legacy worthy of their aristocratic background. By the time Hamza Zayyad passed out of Rafindadi Elementary School in 1945 and went to the Katsina Middle School, between 1984 and 1950, he had already been prepared for the clarion call to the famous Barewa College, Zaria, where he was registered in 1951. Only the best students in the then 13 provinces of Northern Nigeria were given places, as Barewa stood for excellence.

After completing his secondary education at Barewa College in 1956, Hamza Zayyad obtained the provincial scholarship to study Engineering at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology in Zaria. Instead of studying engineering, he joined the Barclays Bank and began to prepare for the profession that had a tremendous influence on his life – Accountancy. He subsequently took a scholarship to study Accountancy at the Kumasi College of Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, between 1958 and 1960. Thereafter, he proceeded to Leeds College of Commerce in England, between 1961 and 1962 to qualify as a member of the Association of Certified Accountants, after passing the finals of the ACCA examinations in December, 1962. Hamza Zayyad also had a Master of Science degree in Social Sciences, obtained from the University of Birmingham, in addition to a string of professional fellowships.

Dr Zayyad, had a varied experience and exposure in diverse establishments concerned with public policy, education, industry, finance, management, etc. His post-qualification experience started at the Treasury Division of the then Ministry of Finance of Northern Nigeria, between 1963 and 1965. He then moved on to the Nigerian Produce Marketing Company (NPMC) in July, 1965 as its Deputy Chief Accountant. In November 1966, he joined the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria as the Chief Accountant. In 1968 he was appointed the Bursar. In that capacity Dr Zayyad served on all ABU Boards including the ABU Council, Board of Governors: ABU Institute of Health, ABU Institute of Agricultural Research; Institute of Administration and Institute of Education, etc. Between 1968 and 1976, he was ex-officio member of these boards. Also, between 1968 and 1978, he served on the boards of many corporations, either as director or chairman. Dr. Zayyad was a director of New Nigerian Development Company Ltd. (NNDC) and subsequently became the managing director, a position in which he served from 1976 to 1981 after which he retired. In that capacity he became the chairman of NNDC (Properties Limited); Arewa Textiles Limited, Nortex Ltd, Nigerian Leatherworks Ltd; Home Development Limited, NEWDEVCO Finance Services; etc. He also served as director of over a dozen companies, including Kaduna Textile Ltd., Northern Nigerian Investments Ltd., Arewa Hotels, etc.

Dr. Zayyad was nominated a member of the 1978 Constituent Assembly that laid the ground for handover of power to the Shagari government in 1979. He served as a member of the Federal Government’s Industrial Enterprise Panel, which reviewed the 1972 - 74-indigenisation exercise and recommended changes, which led to the promulgation of the Nigerian Enterprises Promotion Decree 77. Dr. Zayyad also served as a member of the Okigbo Commission on the Review of the Nigerian Financial System in 1976 and the Presidential Commission on the Review of Conditions of Service for Nigerian Universities in 1981. He was the pro-chancellor and chairman of Council of the University of Ilorin 1984 to 1986. He was on the board of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from 1985 to 1994 during which he served as chairman of the Banking System Review Committee of the CBN. Dr. Zayyad was also vice-chairman of the Consultative Assembly on the Reform of Nigerian Company Law.

As the head of the TCPC, Zayyad directed Nigeria’s first privatisation programme. It was a duty, which Dr. Zayyad discharged with his characteristic missionary zeal. The BPE under his leadership successfully privatised 88 out of 111 enterprises listed in the enabling legislation from the programme. This involved the marketing of 1.5 billion shares to the Nigerian public resulting in the creation of over 800,000 new shareholders and realising privatisation proceeds of well over N3.7 billion. It is note- worthy that the original investments in these privatised enterprises were N652 million thus creating a capital gain of nearly 600 per cent.

Dr. Zayyad’s services was not limited to the national level, he was actively involved in the affairs of Katsina having served the community in various capacities. Indeed he was one of the leading lights in the agitation for the creation of Katsina State. There can be no better recognition of the capabilities of Dr. Hamza Rafindadi Zayyad by the people of Katsina, than his appointment as Wazirin Katsina (traditional prime minister) by His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr) Kabir Usman, Emir of Katsina. The turbaning took place on April 14, 1995. It was a role to which he applied his extensive managerial skills and experience.

In the 65 years that he lived, Dr. Hamza Rafindadi Zayyad was variously decorated. In 1989, he was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (D. Litt) by the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in recognition of his contributions to the development of Nigeria. Additional accolade came in 1994 with the conferment of a fellowship on him, by the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti. Dr. Zayyad was also an Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic.

Even after departing this mortal world, the recognition has continued. Post humously, Dr. Zayyad has been honoured by the National Association of Polytechnic Students for his contributions to Accountancy. One of the leading authorities on the biographies of distinguished individuals, the American Biographical Institute elected him as A MAN OF THE YEAR 2001 not knowing he was already dead.

One fact that no one can deny is that Dr. Hamza Rafindadi, an embodiment of nobility and aristocracy who by his transparent lifestyle, great abilities, generosity, integrity and kindness of heart had lived an enviable life.

The name Wazirin Zayyad rings a bell anywhere. He had wealth of experience, eloquence, honesty of purpose and integrity that command respect and attention anywhere, the late Wazirin carved a niche for himself in the heart of his people. It may be impossible for me to enumerate his many good works, but suffice it to say that he was an accomplished professional and a successful man, a devout Muslim and a loving father and husband. He was an extraordinary entrepreneur, who had the interest of his country and of his people at heart. Though willing always to assist with both his time and purse and anything that was beneficial to his people, he was a man "known not for his millions but his benevolence." He was known more for his willingness to share, to give out, for his determination to know something of and to feel in sympathy with every side of the people’s public and private life. Perhaps one great issue we continue to remember him for was selfless service.

When he married his wife in London, his best man was a long time friend from their student days in Barewa College who was a military cadet. In 1966, that cadet who had become Head of State asked him to be a minister in his government. His answer was no. He felt as his minister he might not be in a position to offer him good advice.

At another time he was considered for an appointment as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. He recommended one of his able staff, Alhaji Abdulkadir Ahmed. After eight years, the same Dr. Zayyad was offered governorship of the CBN. He declined on the ground he recommended Ahmed as Deputy and it must be his time. This indeed is the man Hamza Zayyad. Many people will remain eternally grateful to him. His exemplary life will always remain a source of inspiration for others.